A study published in The American Biology Teacher reviewed the educational value of dissection alternatives as learning tools. It concluded that students using non-animal methods can learn just as well—if not better, than those who participate in traditional animal dissection. The article, “Animal Dissection vs. Non-Animal Teaching Methods: A Systematic Review of Pedagogical Value,” examines studies published from 2005 – 2020 that evaluated the effectiveness of alternatives versus animal dissection. It was discovered that, in 95% of the studies reviewed, students in high school, college, and medical school “performed at least as well—and in most of those studies better—when they used [alternatives] compared to animal dissection.”

AAVS’s Animalearn Director, Nicole Green, who has over 20 years of humane science education experience, contributed, along with other co-authors from animal protection organizations, and study lead, Elisabeth Ormandy, Ph.D. “These new findings will help science educators understand that animal specimens are no longer necessary as anatomy teaching tools, and ideally, encourage teachers to incorporate non-animal methods into their classrooms to replace animal dissection entirely," said Nicole.

The alternatives referenced in the reviewed studies include clay and 3D plastic models, dissection computer software, and virtual reality simulations. Many of these dissection alternatives, and more, are available through Animalearn’s free loan program, The Science Bank.